ABILENE, TX — The Abilene Independent School District addresses concerns following Friday night’s football game at Shotwell Stadium.
According to the district, they received inquiries asking why the Abilene High Football team wasn’t present during the National Anthem.
Superintendent Dr. David Young said the decision was based on University Interscholastic League guidelines set for the 6A district, which has the anthem scheduled to take place twelve minutes prior to game time.
“We had district protocol to follow here, but it became very clear that something was a significant issue for many in our community and I totally understand that,” said Dr. Young.
According to Young, AISD is working through the procedures that are currently in place, some of which have been for over two decades for 6A schools, and moving forward, AISD teams will follow 5A policies to allow for teams to be on the field at home games.
“We want to make sure our players have the opportunity to be on the field during the National Anthem,” said Young.
